Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

About: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine is a healthcare organization based out in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 44277 authors who have published 79222 publications receiving 4788882 citations.

Apoptosis-inducing factor mediates poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymer-induced cell death

Abstract: Apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), a mitochondrial oxidoreductase, is released into the cytoplasm to induce cell death in response to poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) activation. How PARP-1 activation leads to AIF release is not known. Here we identify PAR polymer as a cell death signal that induces release of AIF. PAR polymer induces mitochondrial AIF release and translocation to the nucleus. PAR glycohydrolase, which degrades PAR polymer, prevents PARP-1-dependent AIF release. Cells with reduced levels of AIF are resistant to PARP-1-dependent cell death and PAR polymer cytotoxicity. These results reveal PAR polymer as an AIF-releasing factor that plays important roles in PARP-1-dependent cell death.

Discovery and development of the complement inhibitor eculizumab for the treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria

Abstract: The complement system provides critical immunoprotective and immunoregulatory functions but uncontrolled complement activation can lead to severe pathology. In the rare hemolytic disease paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), somatic mutations result in a deficiency of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked surface proteins, including the terminal complement inhibitor CD59, on hematopoietic stem cells. In a dysfunctional bone marrow background, these mutated progenitor blood cells expand and populate the periphery. Deficiency of CD59 on PNH red blood cells results in chronic complement-mediated intravascular hemolysis, a process central to the morbidity and mortality of PNH. A recently developed, humanized monoclonal antibody directed against complement component C5, eculizumab (Soliris; Alexion Pharmaceuticals Inc., Cheshire, CT, USA), blocks the proinflammatory and cytolytic effects of terminal complement activation. The recent approval of eculizumab as a first-in-class complement inhibitor for the treatment of PNH validates the concept of complement inhibition as an effective therapy and provides rationale for investigation of other indications in which complement plays a role.

Molecular characterization of an aquaporin cDNA from brain: candidate osmoreceptor and regulator of water balance

Abstract: The aquaporins transport water through membranes of numerous tissues, but the molecular mechanisms for sensing changes in extracellular osmolality and regulating water balance in brain are unknown. We have isolated a brain aquaporin by homology cloning. Like aquaporin 1 (AQP1, also known as CHIP, channel-forming integral membrane protein of 28 kDa), the deduced polypeptide has six putative transmembrane domains but lacks cysteines at the known mercury-sensitive sites. Two initiation sites were identified encoding polypeptides of 301 and 323 amino acids; expression of each in Xenopus oocytes conferred a 20-fold increase in osmotic water permeability not blocked by 1 mM HgCl2, even after substitution of cysteine at the predicted mercury-sensitive site. Northern analysis and RNase protection demonstrated the mRNA to be abundant in mature rat brain but only weakly detectable in eye, kidney, intestine, and lung. In situ hybridization of brain localized the mRNA to ependymal cells lining the aqueduct, glial cells forming the edge of the cerebral cortex and brainstem, vasopressin-secretory neurons in supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei of hypothalamus, and Purkinje cells of cerebellum. Its distinctive expression pattern implicates this fourth mammalian member of the aquaporin water channel family (designated gene symbol, AQP4) as the osmoreceptor which regulates body water balance and mediates water flow within the central nervous system.

Adipogenesis: From Stem Cell to Adipocyte

Abstract: Excessive caloric intake without a rise in energy expenditure promotes adipocyte hyperplasia and adiposity. The rise in adipocyte number is triggered by signaling factors that induce conversion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to preadipocytes that differentiate into adipocytes. MSCs, which are recruited from the vascular stroma of adipose tissue, provide an unlimited supply of adipocyte precursors. Members of the BMP and Wnt families are key mediators of stem cell commitment to produce preadipocytes. Following commitment, exposure of growtharrested preadipocytes to differentiation inducers [insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), glucocorticoid, and cyclic AMP (cAMP)] triggers DNA replication and reentry into the cell cycle (mitotic clonal expansion). Mitotic clonal expansion involves a transcription factor cascade, followed by the expression of adipocyte genes. Critical to these events are phosphorylations of the transcription factor CCATT enhancerbinding protein β (C/EBPβ) by MAP kinase and GSK3β to produce a conformational change that gives rise to DNA-binding activity. “Activated” C/EBPβ then triggers transcription of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor-γ (PPARγ )a nd C/EBPα ,w hich in turn coordinately activate genes whose expression produces the adipocyte phenotype.

Reciprocal Positive Regulation of Hypoxia-inducible Factor 1α and Insulin-like Growth Factor 2

Abstract: Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) activates transcription of genes encoding glucose transporters, glycolytic enzymes, vascular endothelial growth factor, and other proteins involved in O 2 homeostasis and tumor progression. The expression and transcriptional activity of the HIF-1α subunit is regulated by the cellular O 2 concentration. We demonstrate that insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, and IGF-2 induce expression of HIF-1α, which is required for expression of genes encoding IGF-2, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-2 and IGFBP-3. These data provide a novel mechanism by which HIF-1α overexpression may occur in tumor cells and contribute to an autocrine growth factor loop.